Prison Reform Trust

The pathway through a very long-term sentence in a Scottish prison PRT Building Futures report on the experiences of serving a long prison sentence in Scotland

The pathway through a very long-term sentence in a Scottish prison
@prtuk.bsky.social Building Futures report on the experiences of serving a long prison sentence in Scotland
www.russellwebster.com/the-pathway-...

A deficit in trust and lengthy delays in sentence progression are leaving long-term prisoners in Scotland without hope | Prison Reform Trust Report calls for fairer, more accountable sentence progression that supports personal development and timely release for long-term prisoners in Scotland

Read the full report at prisonreformtrust.org.uk/a-deficit-in...

The report highlights the importance of fostering hope by providing prisoners with clear timelines, consistent access to rehabilitative activities, and opportunities to plan for the future.

Many prisoners reported that they struggle to maintain family relationships, as they cannot explain why their progression has stalled. To loved ones, it can appear as though they are not making enough effort, when in reality, systemic barriers and waiting lists are often to blame.

One prisoner, who contributed to the report said:

"I've seen guys with a tariff of less than two years still here more than 15 years later – that is terrifying, it diminishes your hope completely, what hope have I got?"

The report, developed through a prisoner-led consultation at HMP Glenochil, reveals systemic delays, poor communication, and a lack of transparency in the sentence progression process—leaving many feeling forgotten and hopeless.

A deficit in trust and lengthy delays in sentence progression are leaving long-term prisoners in Scotland without hope | Prison Reform Trust Report calls for fairer, more accountable sentence progression that supports personal development and timely release for long-term prisoners in Scotland

Our new report out today, calls for fairer, more accountable sentence progression that supports personal development and timely release for long-term prisoners in Scotland.

prisonreformtrust.org.uk/a-deficit-in...

PRT briefing on the Sentencing Bill | Prison Reform Trust Read our briefing on the Sentencing Bill, outlining key reforms, concerns, and the action needed to reduce prison overcrowding

With prisons at breaking point, the Sentencing Bill is a vital chance to cut ineffective short sentences and invest in community solutions. Our latest briefing sets out what’s good, what’s concerning, and what’s missing: prisonreformtrust.org.uk/prt-briefing...

PRT comment: David Lammy appointed as Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice | Prison Reform Trust David Lammy’s appointment comes at a critical moment, as the Sentencing Bill begins its journey through Parliament

David Lammy's appointment as Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice comes at a critical moment for reform. Read our full response in the link below.
prisonreformtrust.org.uk/prt-comment-...

Acutely mentally unwell women face delayed psychiatric treatment at HMP Downview, a new report from the IMB reveals.

Read the full report below ⬇️

imb.org.uk/news/acutely...

PRT comment: Publication of the Sentencing Bill | Prison Reform Trust The Sentencing Bill offers a path to lasting reform — if its supported with the necessary resources to suceed.

Today sees the long awaited publication of the Sentencing Bill. It offers an opportunity to begin to restore our justice system to a more proportionate, sustainable, and effective footing.
Read our full response in the link below.
prisonreformtrust.org.uk/prt-comment-...

Barriers to reintegration faced by people released from long prison sentences Prison Reform Trust highlights the need for enhanced support and policy reform for people released from long-term prison sentences.

Barriers to reintegration faced by people released from long prison sentences
@prtuk.bsky.social highlights the need for enhanced support and policy reform for people released from long-term prison sentences.
www.russellwebster.com/barriers-to-...

🚨I'm very excited to announce the launch of my report: Release from long-term imprisonment. This report is based on a new empirical study I conducted last year into the release experiences of people who have served very long prison sentences.
prisonreformtrust.org.uk/publication/...

IPP prisoners are dogged by stigma and ‘set up to fail’ on release, report warns Exclusive: Prisoners have revealed their struggle to find housing and employment while living under an ‘overwhelming’ threat of recall

Prisoners freed from IPPs and other long-term sentences are dogged by stigma and feel “set up to fail” on their release, with an “overwhelming” threat of recall if they fail to comply with complex license conditions, report by @prtuk.bsky.social warns

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crim...

New report highlights significant barriers to reintegration faced by long-term prisoners on release | Prison Reform Trust

Read the full report here

prisonreformtrust.org.uk/new-report-h...

The report highlights the need for enhanced support and policy reform to assist individuals on release after serving long-term prison sentences.

NEW REPORT: PRT's new report 'Release from long-term imprisonment', published today, highlights the significant barriers to reintegration faced by long-term prisoners on release.

Bar chart illustrating the healthy establishment outcome scores for HMYOI Feltham when it was inspected in 2024 and 2025. All scores had remained unchanged across the inspections; safety and purposeful activity were rated poor and care and resettlement were rated reasonably good.

HMYOI Feltham: violence declining but still the highest of any prison in the country.

Read the inspection report: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk?post_type=hm...

And the press notice: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/news/report-...

See the healthy prison scores:

Labour to abolish most short prison sentences in England and Wales Exclusive: Legislation that will include Texas-style scheme to shorten jail time expected to be rolled out this year

Labour to abolish most short prison sentences in England and Wales ⬇️

www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

PRT Associate Sarah Beresford has written a blog explaining some recent adaptations to the Child Impact Assessment resources.

You can read the full blog here ⬇️

prisonreformtrust.org.uk/relationship...

Our guest preacher this morning was Edward Smyth from @prtuk.bsky.social. Thank you Edward!

PRT comment: Independent review of prison capacity | Prison Reform Trust This report must be a wake-up call. We cannot afford to indulge in the fantasy that building more prisons will solve this crisis — history shows it won’t.

Dame Anne Owers' report, out today, doesn’t pull any punches. It lays bare the systemic failures behind repeated prison capacity crises. We cannot afford to indulge in the fantasy that building more prisons will solve this crisis — history shows it won’t.
prisonreformtrust.org.uk/prt-comment-...

Prison and probation performance continues to nose-dive MoJ statistics show full extent of prison and probation crises

Prison and probation performance continues to nose-dive
MoJ statistics show full extent of prison and probation crises
www.russellwebster.com/prison-and-p...

Watchdog investigates cases of 175 people handed abolished indefinite jail terms Eight out of 12 cases sent to the Court of Appeal have resulted in controversial IPP and DPP jail terms being quashed, reduced or substituted

Miscarriage of justice watchdog investigates cases of 175 people handed abolished indefinite jail terms www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crim...

Judges reveal regret at handing out indefinite jail terms and call for end to scandal Exclusive: ‘I have been a part of the system that is wrong. I feel that I ought to be part of the system to put it right,’ says one judge who backs proposals to help those trapped under the ‘unfair’ s...

Senior judges reveal regret at handing out ‘unfair’ indefinite jail terms and call for scandal to be ‘put right’ www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crim...

Groundhog Week for Youth Custody
@robroballen.bsky.social on the #UrgentNotification for Oakhill STC reformingprisons.blogspot.com/2025/07/grou...

Ofsted, CQC and @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social have issued an urgent notification to the Secretary of State for Justice about Oakhill Secure Training Centre, the second in less than four years. Read the full letter from Sir Martyn Oliver at assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/688a40...

Prisons get ‘Minority Report’ AI profiling to avert violence As assaults on prison officers soar, they will be given AI tools to predict who is likely to attack and to scan confiscated phones for intelligence

Prison officers will use Minority Report-style technology to identify potentially violent inmates before they have launched an attack in a major expansion of artificial intelligence in the criminal justice system ⬇️

Four years on: Neurodiversity in prisons – HM Inspectorate of Prisons We use some essential cookies to make this service work.

Inspectors suggest that #neurodivergent #prisoners are still not identified early enough and support for them to achieve positive outcomes is variable.

"We must not confuse these reactive measures with a strategy to reduce violence at its source."

Read our full response to today's announcement that some trained staff in prisons will be issued with Tasers. prisonreformtrust.org.uk/prt-comment-...